MvR and Dolly the sheep

As the site of the Baron's grave is now verified and there are other sources for his DNA it should now be possible to clone him.Should we? Would he be any good in an FA-18? If as some say he was just a hot shot and an ordinary pilot then his skills with air to air missiles might be only average Would the Baron make cut it in late 20th C air combat?

[Billy_Bishop]

Why not, from what I understand, a 10 year old could fly a F16, so I'm sure the Baron would have no problem with the F/A-18.

(10-year old what, though is the question, monkey??)

Later,

Al Lowe

[Barrett]

Actually, there's every reason to believe that MvR or somebody similar from the Great War might have an easier time flying a Hornet than some current "young" stud (24-25 before they reach an operational squadron) trying to handle a Dr.I or Camel. Reason is that intelligent pilots respect new equipment and are more cautious than hotshots who think "if it's older than I am it's outdated and there's no sweat." A navy test pilot with a lot of F-14 time tried to fly a Corsair several years ago and stood it on its nose before he cleared the chocks.

As far as MvR specifically, a big part of his success was based on culture and attitude rather than flying ability. He was bred to the military and spent his entire life doing what was expected of him: serve his emperor. Also, consider that he was a squadron and wing commander at an age when most current jet jockies have barely won their wings. In contrast, I've talked to active-duty military pilots who had little or no childhood interest in the armed forces or in aviation. One spoke for many: "It looked like an interesting job with good benefits."

Manfred, Freiherr, von Richthofen was decidedly NOT interested in perks and benefits. If he were cloned today with an identical attitude, he would be decidedly out of place and likely quite unhappy.

When I worked up at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome back in the later 80's, a Navy "Top Gun" pilot came up with a film crew to record his flight in Cole's Fokker DR-1 with 145hp Warner Radial engine. This was a relatively hot machine and tricky to fly, particularly to land (tail dragger, high center of gravity, etc) After a lengthy pre-flight and repeated taxi tests with 1 foot hops, etc., Top Gun took off, flew about 1,700 feet achieved about 75 ft of altitude, promptly stalled, half-spun, clipped a phone cable and crashed left-side/nose down on a road at the south end of the runway. Fortunately for TopGun he only had a few bruises and a crushed ego. The plane...written off. So much for the reverse scenario of today's hot shots making it in the Great War!

And if that tripe would of had an rotary engine in it he probably wouldn't have even made it off the ground.

[Richard_Schrader]

Re: MvR and Dolly the sheep Richard Schrader rschrade@usd497.k12.ks.us 905453333 WW 1 pilots were steel men flying linen planes. I have nothing but respect for those bygone airmen. After all my many years researching MvR, it would be great to meet his clone.

[Billy_Bishop]

I'd be happy to meet ANY of them, ace or not. The guts it took to get into a flying machine then, when MOST of the world still considered just plain Flying unsafe!! I'm afraid their like will not be seen anytime too soon again.

Regards,

Al Lowe

That's an interesting proposition but Manfred might have an image problem, especially when it came time to trade in his leather jacket and silk scarf for those nylon pajama-like outfits they wear now.

hmm...I suffer from too much "red baron" overkill to want to meet MvR...but cloning Oswald Boelcke, now that would be a really good idea. Since his "Dicta" are so good that they are still used today, I don't think he would have a problem kicking some "Top Gun" butts!

Melinda

Are the rumors true that there is something going on between Dolly and that beacon of morality, President Bill?